Thursday, 18 July 2013

Prepare your boat for 40 days of sun

Predictions
that the hot weather will last for 40 days has prompted River Canal Rescue to
remind boaters about the importance of maintaining equipment and carrying
spares - actions which could prevent call-outs for replacement parts.

Last
year River Canal Rescue attended 573 call-outs for part failures and already
this year the assistance firm has seen a spike in cases of broken water
pumps. Parts which commonly fail are;

·Cables

·Alternators

·Fuel pumps

·Starter motors

·Drive plats

·Gear boxes

·Batteries

·Water pumps

·Couplings

·Engine mounts

Failures
are typically due to; lack of servicing, condensation getting into the
components, excessive or harsh use, vibration, accidental damage, wear and
tear, old-age, misalignment of parts, hitting underwater objects and the effect of pollutants such as diesel,
oil or anti-freeze.

Managing
Director, Stephanie Horton, comments: “Folklore suggests the weather you have
on St Swithun’s day (15 July) will continue for 40 days. If this is the case, the prolonged heat may
take its toll on major components. To
ensure their smooth running, service and check all parts and carry spare
cables, a fan belt, impeller, spark plugs, fuel filter, bulbs, bolts, fuses,
oil and ‘stop leak’ or putty for an unexpected hull breach.

Replacement
parts cost, on average, between £20 (cables) and £1200 (gearbox), plus there
are labour charges. River Canal Rescue
includes replacement parts within its membership package, covering up to £1000
of parts per repair, labour and VAT*.